The Traps of Black Swan

At Maple Regency,

Sean stared at Aeon after watching the live telecast of Aarvi entering the hotel with Aaron Rivas.

Eliza bit her lip, trying hard to come up with something that won't break Sean and keep him motivated. 

Sean had listened to Aarvi and Aeon's advice. Without taking Aeon's help, ignoring his friend's laughter at him, Sean had checked the cooking classes nearby. He had even spoken at two places to join them. He was planning to learn the basics before joining some reputed institute to learn international cooking classes.

Aeon wasn't just focusing on Eliza's case, and his work, he was also preparing to send Aeon abroad so that he could focus on his newfound passion without getting diverted by his use for nothing friends.

On the day of engagement, Aeon knew Aarvi's boyfriend was Aaron. So he wasn't surprised. Instead, he was glad she had somebody who could protect her, unlike him who was getting her assistant.

Aeon didn't get to admire her on the screen either. As soon as Sean's gaze turned to him, Aeon had various thoughts in his mind. He knew Sean was waiting for him to say if whatever it was shown on the news was the truth. 

Aeon had hoped, Sean shouldn't get to know about Aarvi's relationship till Sean leaves the country and become more mature in handling his emotions.

Now Aeon wasn't sure what Sean would end up doing if he nodded at Sean. Aeon couldn't possibly lie as Aarvi and Aaron might be just entering the venue together. They weren't just anybody to enter a venue together in such a high profile.

Eliza didn't know how to coax him. She didn't want to give him false hope saying he should try harder. Saying he will get a better girl was ludicrous and it won't calm him. So she was completely helpless and looked at Aeon.

Aeon loudly breathed out and turned to Sean. Each nerve of Sean wasn't ready to listen to the truth but dragging it along with a lie would do nothing good. Aeon didn't want to make up stories or talk rubbish behind people's backs like Leon so he chose to confirm the truth, "Aaron Rivas is the man in her life, Sean." He wasn't sure he was telling himself or Sean.

The frowns flared on Sean's forehead as he shot up from the couch. Eliza tried to hold him and Aeon held his breath expecting Sean to break something but it didn't happen.

Sean questioned, pointing at Aaron on the television screen, "Isn't Aarvi with him because he is focused and works hard. I am still young, I might do better than him after six years. Why does he have to be the one next to Aarvi?"

Aeon rubbed his forehead to keep his patience to handle the situation without hurting Sean more. He was glad Sean understood money isn't everything a girl needs. But Aeon didn't expect Sean to misunderstand as Aarvi likes the man who works hard. He wanted to make Sean understand that Aarvi just tried to help them find some interests in him that could be his career and passion.

Lifting his gaze, Aeon saw Sean glaring at Aaron on the screen. He didn't want hatred to take over Sean and ruin his life. Aarvi had given him a last warning concerning Sean, Aeon wasn't ready to see Sean becoming another Leon.

Standing next to Sean, his eyes shifted from the screen to Sean, "It's not about money or work, Sean." His voice was deep and heavily patient that could keep Sean's fury in the hold.

"When it's love, money, job, looks, social status, people's opinion, nothing comes to consideration." He uttered hoping Sean could understand those simple words.

Eliza lowered her head, remembering her and Leon's beginning days. Sean frowned, gritting his teeth.

Aeon looked at the screen which was replaying the moment when Aarvi alighted the car, then Aaron and Aarvi looked at each other. He continued his hand gently patting Sean's shoulder, "She loves Aaron Rivas." He knew that the day he witnessed Aarvi trusted herself to Aaron under Leon's roof to protect her.

"Even if the Rivas family comes on the road or Aaron loses his career or he might even forget her one day, she will love him no less." He convinced himself but his younger brother didn't understand.

"That's all bullshit." Sean hissed in annoyance. He turned to face Aeon, blurted his thoughts on the same, "Bro, how will Aarvi know who is best for her if she doesn't know others?"

Hearing Sean, Aeon felt himself a coward when Sean had the guts to accept his feeling loud and clear.

Sean pointed at Aaron on the screen, "Aaron Rivas must have met her first, that doesn't mean he is a good partner for her. Haven't we seen many couples break up even after dating for ten years? I will wait till that." Then he announced his decision, stomped away upstairs to his room.

Eliza and Aeon heard the door slam before everything fell into silence.

Aeon sat down with a sigh of relief. Somehow, Sean's decision didn't bother Aeon who was worried Sean might go to Leon for help. He took his mobile thinking to call his grandfather and ask why he was attending the banquet when Eliza asked in a dilemma, "Sean was never so serious about anything or anybody. Will he get a chance to be with Aarvi Evans?" Eliza had seen how strong-minded Aarvi was, she doubted if she would leave Aaron Rivas for Sean.

Aeon's lips faintly curled up thinking of Sean with Aarvi. He spoke his unfiltered thoughts, "Sean stays motivated if he gets President Evans. I wish he could get her." Aeon stood up and excused himself to go to the study room.

Eliza understood there was no chance else Aeon would have helped Sean.

She picked up the remote controller and turned off the television. They had no plans to watch the news until Aeon got a call saying Leon was attending the banquet with their grandfather. Sean was intrigued due to the headlines seeing 'Will President Evans attend the party?'

Anyway, it didn't take too long for the news to spread that Aaron Rivas and Aarvi Evans are married, and Jaxon Evans at the party to support.

Many started guessing when they might have married and extra details, making the news more sensational and widespread.

Sean had broken his mobile, having no means to reach Aarvi. He buried his face on the pillow, trying to sleep. Flipping around on the bed for long, he had dozed off in the midnight without answering the door for Eliza or Aeon.

------

At the party, Aaron took Aarvi to meet his mother's parents and brother. Aaron's maternal grandparents were old, grandmother was very polite and sweet when the grandfather repeatedly scrutinized her. 

Then grandmother slapped his arm, softly, "Stop scaring the little girl. Didn't you prepare a red packet for Aarvi?" 

Grandfather Louis looked away and lied, "I didn't. Why should I accept her when I don't even know her?" He muttered.

"Aish… You still behave like a child," Grandmother remarked as she nudged him.

Aarvi smiled at how grandfather melted for his wife's fond gaze and obeyed her words. He unwillingly removed the red packet from the inner pocket of his blazer. 

Aarvi kneeled to avoid them lifting their heads. "Grandfather, how about you give me your blessings when you are really happy to have me as your granddaughter-in-law?" 

Aaron felt like she started spoiling everyone she could call family. 

'Do I have to share her time with everyone?' After having her whole attention, affection for himself, Aaron wanted to take her away to keep her for himself.

#### Doesn't affect the coin value ###

I am really sorry for vanishing for a few days. I just shifted the house and thought that I could manage with a single chapter every day. But god, it was so tough to shift, arrange and manage everything. I was a dead log by the end of the day so couldn't keep up with the release.

I hope you guys could understand and support the novel.

Thank you,

Munchkin